Interactive Simulation of a Continuum Mechanics based Torsional Thread

Abstract

This paper introduces a continuum mechanics based thread model for use in real-time simulation. The model includes both rotary inertia, shear deformation and torsion. It is based on a three-dimensional beam model, using a corotational approach for interactive simulation speeds as well as adaptive mesh resolution to maintain accuracy. Desirable aspects of this model from a numerical and implementation point of view include a true constant and symmetric mass matrix, a symmetric and easily evaluated tangent stiffness matrix, and easy implementation of time-stepping algorithms. From a modeling perspective interesting features are deformation of the thread cross section and the use of arbitrary cross sections without performance penalty.